New surgery can correct vein wear and tear
JOBURG - They look unsightly and can be painful, but the reality is that many people put up with varicose veins across all walks of life.
They look unsightly and can be painful, but the reality is that many people put up with varicose veins across all walks of life.
If left untreated, however, they can lead to complications and pose a risk to a person’s health.Varicose veins frequently force people to dramatically change their lifestyles, especially when they have standing professions and can no longer tolerate being on their feet all day.
Most cases of varicose veins are caused by a condition called venous reflux. This reflux is caused by incompetent or leaky valves in the great saphenous vein running from ankle to groin in each leg.
Blood builds up and this causes bulging and bruising on the leg. In addition to varicose veins, other symptoms may include leg pain, fatigue, swelling, and skin ulcerations.
An estimated 15 million people in South Africa have varicose veins: 72 percent of women and 42 percent of men will experience varicose veins by the time they are in their 60s.
Common risk factors for varicose veins and venous reflux include multiple pregnancies due to the effect of estrogen and extra weight that pregnant women carry, family history, obesity, standing professions, genetics and ageing.
People who have varicose veins have an increased risk of developing deep vein thrombosis, so they should always wear compression stockings when travelling for long periods on a plane, train or in a car.
There are four primary treatments for varicose veins – traditional surgery, laser surgery, sclerotherapy (injecting medication into the veins to make them shrink). The latest treatment on the market though, is radio-frequency ablation — more commonly known by its official name, VNUS ClosureFast.
Dr Gideon van Wyk of the Vein Centre at Flora Clinic carries out these treatments, as well as offering free screening tests in order to educate the community about venous disease, risk factors prevention and treatments options.
“It’s a relative new procedure in South Africa,” says Van Wyk, “but has been well-tested with more than 700,000 procedures carried out worldwide.”
“It involves making a tiny incision and then a little catheter is inserted into the vein. It is a minimally invasive treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to treat the diseased vein.”
After the procedure, the patients wear compression stockings and are back on their feet the next day. This procedure can be done bilaterally –both legs at the same time. Patient satisfaction with the VNUS Closure procedure is high, with 95 percent of patients reporting that they would recommend the procedure to a friend.
“If you leave varicose veins alone they will progress. Patients can develop venous hypertension which is blood pressure within the veins.
The actual blood flow to around the ankle can become reduced and this can affect someone’s mobility.”
Details: Vein Solutions at Flora Clinic 011 475 8854.
